From Ucagiz: Kekova Sea Guided Kayaking Tour

The best part of this Kekova kayaking tour is the close view of ruins that can be hard to appreciate from a larger boat. You paddle beside the Sunken City, stop for a swim at Tersane Bay, and reach the shore near ancient Simena, all within a well-packed four hours. I especially like the motorized support boat and the chance to choose between a castle hike, village walk, or second swim.

I also like the fresh fish lunch in Üçağız, which gives this active morning a satisfying finish. Guide Yaşar is singled out for being friendly and helpful. The main drawback is that the schedule is tight, and the underwater ruins are not always easy to see from the kayak. Bring swimming shoes, protect your phone, and expect the meeting point coordinates to require careful checking.

Key points to know before booking

• Kayak beside protected ruins: Paddle over the Sunken City of Kekova, where swimming is not allowed.
• A useful support boat: A motorized vessel escorts the group, making the route easier to manage.
• Two different swimming opportunities: Tersane Bay offers the clearest planned swim, while the Simena stop gives you another chance near the old ruins.
• Simena in 45 minutes: Use the short stop for the castle, hillside views, village lanes, or a quick swim.
• Fresh lunch included: The meal in Üçağız has been praised for fresh fish as well as simple, tasty food.
• Small practical extras matter: The castle ticket costs 4 euros, and swimming shoes plus waterproof phone protection are wise additions.

Why Kekova looks best from a kayak

Kekova’s famous Sunken City is not a grand underwater city waiting to be explored on foot. It is a coastal stretch of Lycian ruins partly covered by the sea, with stone walls, old foundations, and other remains visible along the shore and beneath clear water.

A kayak is a good way to see the site because you move slowly and can get close to the ruins without the bulk of a large sightseeing boat. You can stop for photographs, listen to the guide, and look down into the water at your own pace. The view is still subtle, though. Even in clear water, the submerged remains may be difficult to make out from above.

That distinction matters. If you expect a clearly visible underwater city at every stroke, you may find the sight less dramatic than its name suggests. If you enjoy reading a coastline, spotting ancient stonework, and picturing the old Lycian settlement beneath the water, the kayak gives you a more personal way to approach it.

Swimming is forbidden beside the Sunken City because it is a protected historic site. That rule limits what you can do there, but it also protects the ruins. Your reward is the quiet passage beside them, rather than a swim through the archaeological area.

A 9:30 start from Üçağız

The tour begins at the stated meeting point in Üçağız at 9:30 in the morning. Check the location carefully before setting out, since the supplied coordinates have caused some confusion. This is one of those moments when arriving early is sensible, especially if you need to find the kayak base.

The group leaves with a motorized support vessel escorting the kayaks. That is a useful arrangement. You are not expected to manage every part of the route alone, and the support boat provides a visible guide on the water. English and Turkish are available, and guide Yaşar has received particularly warm praise for his good humor and helpful manner.

The support vessel also helps explain how a half-day tour can cover several places without feeling like a pure endurance test. The trip is active, but you are not paddling unsupported through an unfamiliar stretch of coast.

The route heads southwest toward Kekova Island. Around 10:15, you reach Tersane Bay for about 30 minutes of swimming and kayaking.

Tersane Bay: your best planned swim

Tersane Bay is the first proper pause, and it gives you time to get comfortable in the water before the historic sights begin. The bay is also a useful break from steady paddling. You can swim, stay with the kayak, or simply enjoy the clear water and rocky coast.

Bring proper swimwear and a towel. Swimming shoes are even more useful, since the shore and seabed can be rocky. One useful tip from the experience is to carry a floating bag or a transparent waterproof phone case. A phone left loose in a kayak is an unnecessary risk, especially when the day includes two chances to enter the water.

This first stop appears to be the more conventional swim. You get roughly 30 minutes, so it is long enough for a proper dip without taking over the morning. Keep an eye on the guide’s timing, since the Sunken City follows next.

Paddling over the Sunken City of Kekova

After Tersane Bay, the group moves slowly along Kekova Island and over the protected Sunken City. This is the tour’s main reason for choosing a kayak rather than a standard road excursion.

You will pass ancient Lycian remains at close range, with time for photographs and sightseeing. The kayak sits low on the water, so the ruins can feel more immediate than they would from a high deck. You also move at a pace that lets you notice small details along the coast.

The water is clean, but do not expect every ruin to show sharply beneath the surface. Some remains are partly hidden, and the angle from a kayak can make them hard to identify. The guide’s explanation helps turn scattered stones and walls into a sense of the old settlement.

This is a photography-friendly stretch, but protect your equipment. A waterproof case is better than trusting a pocket, and a floating pouch can save a phone if it slips overboard. The guide may also take photographs of you during the outing, with those images available for an additional charge.

The no-swimming rule is strictly part of the attraction. You get to see the archaeological site without treating it like an ordinary beach stop. Think of this section as a quiet sightseeing paddle, not an underwater excursion.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy in 45 minutes

Around 11:30, the kayaks reach Kaleköy, the village associated with ancient Simena Castle. You have about 45 minutes here, which is enough for a quick visit but not enough for a leisurely exploration of every corner.

The castle is the high point, literally and historically. A short hike up the hillside gives you wide views across the Kekova region, the island, and the water. The climb is the right choice if you want the strongest photographs and a clearer sense of how the ancient settlement fits into the coast.

You can also spend your time in the small village, look at the nearby necropolis, or admire the castle from below. The stop is flexible enough to suit different energy levels, though the limited time means you must choose. If you hike, you will have less time for a swim or village walk. If you stay near the water, you give up the best elevated view.

The castle entrance costs 4 euros and is not included. Keep a little cash available for that separate fee. The experience information calls the castle visit part of the stop, but the exact balance between climbing, entering, and swimming depends on the pace of the group and your own choice. One useful piece of practical advice is not to assume that the castle stop is a long beach break. The second swim is closer to wading around old remains and exploring the area near the former houses and tombs.

That mix is what makes Simena worthwhile. You are not just visiting a viewpoint. You are seeing a small coastal settlement where castle walls, Lycian tombs, village life, and bright water sit close together.

The return past Theimussa

After Simena, the route turns back toward Theimussa, also known as Üçağız in the modern setting. The kayak passes more Lycian sarcophagi and other ancient remains before returning to the base.

This final stretch is shorter, listed at about 10 minutes of sightseeing and kayaking, but it adds another layer to the morning. The area is not only about the famous Sunken City. Sarcophagi around the coast show how widely Lycian burial traditions shaped the region.

You should not expect another long archaeological visit here. The value is in seeing the remains from the water as part of the route back. The repeated pattern of paddling, stopping, and listening keeps the tour varied, although anyone hoping for a longer kayaking session may wish the active time were greater.

Lunch in Üçağız at about 1:15

The kayaks return to base before lunch in Üçağız at roughly 1:15. Lunch is included in the $47 price, and it adds real value to a four-hour outing.

The meal has been described as simple but tasty, with fresh fish receiving especially strong praise. That is a good fit for the setting and for a morning spent outdoors. It is not presented as a grand dining experience, but you can reasonably expect a straightforward meal that leaves you satisfied after the water activities.

The lunch also makes the tour easier to plan. You do not need to find a restaurant immediately after returning, and the meal gives the experience a clear finish. If you are comparing this tour with a shorter kayak rental, remember that the included food and guided historic stops are part of what you are paying for.

Is $47 a good value?

At $47 per person, this is a fair price for a four-hour guided outing that combines kayaking, swimming, historic sightseeing, support-boat assistance, and lunch. The value is strongest if you want several experiences in one morning rather than a long, uninterrupted paddle.

You are paying for more than equipment on the water. The route links Tersane Bay, the Sunken City, Simena Castle, Theimussa, and a meal in Üçağız. The guide also helps you understand what you are seeing, which matters when the submerged ruins are not immediately obvious.

The price does not include the 4 euro Simena Castle entrance fee. That is a small extra, but you should know about it before booking. You can still enjoy the village, necropolis, hillside, and water without necessarily spending the entry fee, depending on how the stop is managed.

The main value limitation is time. Four hours passes quickly, and you cannot give every stop a long visit. If your priority is a full day at sea or a serious kayaking workout, this tour may feel abbreviated. If you want a convenient introduction to Kekova with lunch included, it makes better sense.

What to bring for a smoother morning

The official advice is swimwear and a towel, but I would add a few practical items based on the conditions described.

• Swimming shoes: Rocky beaches and shallow areas around the old ruins can be uncomfortable barefoot.
• Waterproof phone protection: Use a transparent case or a floating dry bag if you plan to photograph from the kayak.
• A small amount for the castle: The Simena entrance ticket is 4 euros.
• A relaxed plan: You may need to choose between the hillside view, village exploration, castle visit, and second swim.

Wear something you can move in and expect to get wet. The tour includes kayaking and swimming, so dry clothes for later may also be useful, although a change of clothing is not specifically listed as required.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while postponing payment. Those terms are helpful if your coastal plans may shift, but the key practical issue remains the meeting point. Check the Üçağız coordinates carefully before the morning begins.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this experience if you want a short, active introduction to Kekova with a guide and a clear route. It suits people who like combining history and water time, rather than spending the whole day on one activity.

It is also a good fit if you prefer some structure. The support vessel, guided stops, scheduled swim, castle visit, and included lunch remove much of the planning work. Yaşar’s friendly style adds to the relaxed feel, according to the available guide feedback.

You may want another option if you need a slow archaeological visit, a long hike, or a full day of paddling. The Sunken City is fascinating but partly difficult to see from above, and the Simena stop is only 45 minutes. The experience rewards realistic expectations: this is a compact sightseeing adventure, not a complete exploration of every ruin in Kekova.

Should you book the Üçağız kayaking tour?

Yes, if you want the most active way to see several Kekova highlights in half a day. The combination of kayaking beside the protected ruins, swimming at Tersane Bay, visiting Simena, and eating fresh fish afterward gives the $47 price solid value.

Book it with waterproof phone protection, swimming shoes, and the understanding that the schedule moves quickly. Choose the castle hike if views matter most, or stay near the water if you prefer a swim and a closer look at the old remains.

I would skip it only if you expect the Sunken City to be perfectly visible underwater or if you want a long, quiet kayaking session. For everyone else, this is a practical, enjoyable way to meet Kekova from the water without giving up the area’s ancient sites.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova kayaking tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the stated meeting point in Üçağız, identified by the coordinates 8G8F5RWX+Q54.

What time does the tour depart?

Departure from Üçağız is scheduled for 9:30 in the morning.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes a swimming and kayaking stop at Tersane Bay, plus another opportunity to swim around the Simena area.

Can you swim at the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. Swimming is not permitted at the Sunken City because it is a protected area. You see the ruins from the kayak.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Üçağız is included and takes place at about 1:15 in the afternoon.

Is the Simena Castle entrance included?

No. The castle entrance costs 4 euros separately.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Turkish.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Swimming shoes and a floating bag or waterproof phone case are also useful for the rocky swimming areas and kayaking.